AREMA 115RE TR57 Steel Rail

 

The 115RE rail (also widely designated as the TR57 rail or 115LB rail ) is a heavy-duty steel rail profile designed and manufactured in strict accordance with the AREMA (American Railway Engineering and Maintenance-of-Way Association) standards. It is one of the most commonly utilized railway track specifications across North America and regions adhering to American railway standards, serving as a critical infrastructure component in heavy-haul freight corridors, mining transit networks, industrial plants, and port rail systems.

 

The designation "115RE" represents specific engineering and physical attributes of the rail section:

 

• 115: Indicates the rail's nominal weight of 115 pounds per yard (115 lbs/yd). In metric units, this is equivalent to approximately 56.9 kg/m (with a precise theoretical mass of 56.89 kg/m). Due to this metric conversion, the profile is internationally recognized as the TR57 steel rail.

 

• RE: RE stands for Railway Engineering, which refers to standard rail profiles formulated and recommended by the American Railway Engineering Association (AREA, the predecessor of AREMA).

 

 

GNEE manufactures Rail profile 115RE and other railroad tracks for sale. We provide customization services to meet your specific needs. 

 

Click here to get the latest price of the 115RE profile.

 

 

According to standard engineering drawings, the 115RE rail (in compliance with the AREMA standard for American railway engineering) is a heavy-haul standard rail section with the following key geometric parameters:

 

• Total rail height: 6-5/8 inches (168.28 mm)

 

• Base width: 5-1/2 inches (139.70 mm)

 

• Head width: 2-23/32 inches (69.06 mm)

 

• Minimum web thickness: 5/8 inch (15.88 mm)

 

This 115RE section is widely used in heavy-haul railway tracks, as defined by AREMA specifications for 115 lb/yd rail profiles.

 

 

Type of Rail	Standard	Dimensions mm				Steel Grade	Mass M
		Height	Base Width	Head Width	Web Thickness		kg/m
115RE	AREMA	168.28	139.7	69.06	15.88	IS/SS/HH	56.9

 

 

The 115RE profile is a highly engineered standard for 115re heavy rail lines. It achieves a balanced distribution of steel (≈ 56.9 kg/m ) to maximize structural stiffness, control dynamic track deflection, and extend the lifespan of the entire track bed .

 

 

• Maximized Bending Stiffness: In structural mechanics, vertical stiffness is determined by the height of the section. At 168.28 mm, this profile provides a high vertical moment of inertia to resist heavy loads.

 

• Deflection Control: It restricts vertical rail deflection under heavy axle loads, preventing ballast degradation and track settlement.

 

• Infrastructure Protection: By limiting dynamic "wave" action under rolling wheels, it reduces stress on ties and down-track subgrade, lowering overall maintenance costs.

 

 

 

• Base Width (5-1/2" / 139.70 mm): Spreads vertical loads evenly over tie plates to prevent sleepers from crushing, while providing a wide base to prevent rail rollover on curves .

 

• Head Width (2-23/32" / 69.06 mm):Optimizes the wheel-rail contact area to lower Hertzian contact stress, reducing rolling contact fatigue (RCF) while offering extra sacrificial wear metal .

 

• Web Thickness (5/8" / 15.88 mm):Provides excellent resistance against shear and torsional forces, while standard 14°02′ fishing angles ensure joint bars (fishplates) seat securely with zero slipping.

 

Get AREMA 115RE Rail Technical Parameters & Drawings

 

 

The 115RE (TR57) rail (often referred to as the AREMA 115RE steel rail) occupies a vital and highly versatile "ecological niche" in global rail transport. Serving as a bridge between light urban transit and extreme heavy-haul corridors,this profile is engineered to balance structural load capacity with material weight efficiency.

 

The 115re heavy rail is primarily utilized across four major sectors: urban rapid transit (metros and light rails), Class II and Class III regional freight lines, legacy track replacement projects utilizing its unique base-width compatibility, and dedicated industrial or medium-scale mining corridors .

 

 

• Optimal for Moderate Loads: Designed for typical transit axle loads (16 to 22 tons), eliminating the need for heavier, more expensive profiles like 136RE.

 

• Vibration & Noise Dampening: Its geometry is optimized for frequent curves and quiet operation, making it the premier choice for populated municipal lines .

 

 

• Cost-Efficient Freight Standard: Short-line and regional operators with tight budgets use 115RE instead of Class I mainline profiles to limit capital expenses.

 

• Weight & Budget Savings: It meets all freight safety regulations while saving 15% to 20% in material weight and costs compared to 136RE.

 

 

• Interchangeable Base Dimensions: Shares the exact same base width (5.5''/ 139.70 mm) as legacy 112 lb and 119 lb rail profiles.

 

• No-Overhaul Spot Repairs: Operators can perform localized rail replacement without changing existing wooden ties, concrete sleepers, fasteners, or tie plates, preventing a costly overhaul of the trackbed infrastructure.

 

 

• Tailored to Private Operations: Ideal for coal, cement, and chemical plant logistics where extreme heavy-haul track designs are not required.

 

• Head-Hardened (HH) Lifespan: When head-hardened, the TR57 profile offers outstanding wear and fatigue resistance, providing industrial networks with decades of reliable service at a highly optimized cost.

 

 

The material specification for 115 lbs/yd rail primarily consists of high-carbon manganese steel or low-alloy steel. Under AREMA standards, these materials are strictly regulated by defining specific chemical composition ranges-such as a carbon content of 0.74%–0.86% and a manganese content of 0.75%–1.25%-alongside standardized mechanical property indicators. Based on these parameters, the rails are classified into distinct performance grades, including Standard Strength (SS, with a Brinell hardness of ≥310 HB), Intermediate Strength (IS), and Head Hardened (HH, with a Brinell hardness of≥370HB).

 

 

In global manufacturing and trade practices, the primary steel grades utilized to produce 115RE steel rails include Chinese standard grades U71Mn and U75V (along with their heat-treated/head-hardened variants), as well as European standard grades R260 and R350HT.

 

 

AREMA 2019	C%	Mn%	P%	S%	Si%	Ni%	Cr%	Mo%	V%	Al%
Carbon Steel	0.74 - 0.86	0.75 - 1.25	≤ 0.020	≤ 0.020	0.10 - 0.60	≤ 0.25	≤ 0.30	≤ 0.060	≤ 0.010	≤ 0.010
Low Alloy Steel (for Std Strength)	0.72 - 0.82	0.80 - 1.10	≤ 0.020	≤ 0.020	0.10 - 0.50	≤ 0.15	0.25 - 0.40	≤ 0.050	≤ 0.010	≤ 0.005
Low Alloy Steel (for Int. & High Strength)	0.72 - 0.82	0.70 - 1.25	≤ 0.020	≤ 0.020	0.10 - 1.00	≤ 0.15	0.40 - 0.70	≤ 0.050	≤ 0.010	≤ 0.005

 

 

Specs	Steel Grade	Hardness	Tensile Strength	Yield Strength	Elongation
	(grade shown on web)	HB	ksi	ksi	%
AREMA(with Carbon Steel chemistry)	Standard Strength (SS)	≥ 310	≥ 142.5	≥ 74.0	≥ 10
	Intermediate Strength (IS)	≥ 350	≥ 155.0	≥ 105.0	≥ 10
	High Strength / Head Hardened (HH)	≥ 370	≥ 171.0	≥ 120.0	≥ 10
AREMA(with Low Alloy Steel chemistry)	Standard Strength (LA)	≥ 310	≥ 142.5	≥ 74.0	≥ 10
	Intermediate Strength (IH)	≥ 325	≥ 147.0	≥ 80.0	≥ 8
	High Strength / Head Hardened (LH)	≥ 370	≥ 171.0	≥ 120.0	≥ 10

 

 

As a heavy rail specification widely adopted in North American and Latin American freight networks and urban transit systems, the primary material grades of the 115RE rail are standardized by AREMA into Standard Strength (SS), Intermediate Strength (IS), and Head Hardened (HH).

In practical engineering applications, the distribution of these materials typically follows a pattern characterized by high demand at both ends of the performance spectrum (SS and HH) and comparatively lower usage in the middle (IS):

 

• The SS grade (hardness ≥310 HB, tensile strength ≥142.5 ksi), offering the lowest manufacturing cost balanced with highly stable mechanical properties, serves as the primary, cost-effective choice for tangent tracks, maintenance depots, industrial sidings, and port terminals under conventional loading conditions.

 

• The HH grade (hardness ≥370 HB, tensile strength ≥171.0 ksi) undergoes precise head-hardening heat treatment or micro-alloying, providing exceptional resistance to lateral wear and rolling contact fatigue (RCF). Consequently, it is an indispensable, high-demand specification for high-frequency metros, light rail mainlines, sharp curves, and critical heavy-haul freight sections.

 

• In contrast, the intermediate IS grade (hardness ≥350 HB), which acts as a compromise balancing strength and toughness, is only selectively laid in medium-tonnage branch lines or mildly heavy-haul transition zones.

 

 

• What does 115lb rail mean?

 

It means the rail has a nominal weight of 115 pounds per yard (≈ 56.9 kg/m ). "115" refers to the weight per yard, and "lb" represents the Imperial pound, serving as a standard heavy rail profile widely used in North American transit and freight networks.

 

• How tall is a AREMA 115lb rail?

 

The standard height of a 115 lb rail is 6-5/8 inches (approximately 168.28 mm). This specific height is engineered to provide sufficient bending resistance and structural stability for urban transit and freight trains.

 

• How many kg per meter is ASTM 115RE?

 

A 115RE rail has a theoretical weight of 56.89 kg per meter, this is typically rounded to and labeled as 56.9 kg/m.

 

• What are the dimensions of AREMA 115RE rail?

 

The standard cross-sectional dimensions of an AREMA 115RE rail are: Height of 168.28 mm (6-5/8"), Base Width of 139.70 mm (5-1/2"), Head Width of 69.06 mm (2-11/16"), and Web Thickness of 15.88 mm (5/8") .

 

• What is the standard length of a TR57?

 

In the North American market, the standard delivery lengths are 39 feet (approx. 11.89 m) and 80 feet (approx. 24.38 m). For international or export projects, GNEE RAIL also commonly supplies customized metric lengths such as 12m, 18m, or 25m.

 

Contact GNEE

 

With over 18 years of specialized manufacturing and international trade experience, GNEE RAIL manufactures high-performance railway tracks and fastening systems globally. GNEE RAIL supplies comprehensive and customized track solutions that meet the rigorous demands of modern transit and heavy-haul rail projects.

 

• AREMA-Compliant 115RE Heavy Rail: We supply 115RE heavy rails manufactured in strict accordance with the American Railway Engineering and Maintenance-of-Way Association (AREMA) standards. This ensures exact dimensional tolerances, high structural integrity, and long-term safety for heavy-freight and high-traffic rail networks.

 

• Heat-Treated 115RE (TR57) Rail Options: To combat severe lateral wear and structural fatigue on sharp curves and high-load sections, we offer heat-treated (HH/HT) 115RE (TR57) rails. These profiles deliver enhanced surface hardness and extended service life under challenging operating conditions.

 

• One-Stop Matching Fasteners: Beyond supplying premium steel rails, we provide a complete suite of compatible fastening accessories. This includes joint bars (fishplates with matching bolts, nuts, and washers), rail clips, elastic pad, rubber pads, and other essential rail fastening.

 

• Flexible Customization Services: We offer tailored production to accommodate unique technical requirements. Whether you need custom lengths (such as standard 39ft/80ft or specific metric sizes from 12m to 25m), specific steel grades, or customized drilling templates, we adapt our processing to match your project blueprint.

 

• Export Expertise & Complete Documentation: Leveraging more than 18 years of dedicated export history, we manage the entire international logistics chain smoothly. GNEE RAIL provides a full set of clear, traceable export documentation to ensure hassle-free customs clearance and importing processes.

 

• Third-Party Inspection & Reliable Packaging: We fully support independent third-party inspections (such as SGS) to verify chemical compositions and mechanical properties prior to dispatch. Additionally, we utilize robust, anti-corrosion packaging and reinforced loading schemes designed for secure ocean freight to ensure your order arrives in excellent condition.

Contact our experienced sales and engineering team today to discuss your technical specifications, request a detailed quote, or learn more about our customization options.

 

Email: sales@gneerail.com

Tel / WhatsApp: +86 15824687445

 

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